Being a Woman and a Mother
Posted: Tuesday, May 10, 2011
by Brianna Popsickle
Everywhere I looked this week there were eloquently written articles on the topic of Mother’s Day. What my mother means to me, how my mother sacrificed, and the mother I never knew. Everyone had something to say.
But once again I failed to write an article about my best friend, my mom. I don’t know why really, God knows I have plenty of good things to say. I think perhaps I felt I couldn’t put into words exactly how much she means to me. The important thing is, she knows.
I feel like I’ve been a decent mother and I think much of it is due to the example she set for me. She wasn’t perfect but I think perfect is highly over-rated. She kept it real, and that’s what I’ve tried to do with my children.
When I was young I could count on her to feed me when I was hungry, wipe my tears when I cried, and hug me when she knew I needed it. As children we think our mother’s sole purpose is us. Over the years, as my mother became my friend, I saw her as a woman who was young once with dreams of her own. A woman with wants and needs, but who, as mothers often do, put everyone and everything else first.
I think back to times like when my dad’s dairy shut down and it was difficult to make ends meet, the time my sister almost died, and the year my mother lost her father and two good friends to cancer. I realize now how she must have struggled with her emotions and the pain, but carried on as best she could through it all. Who better to understand me and what I’ve come through, or what I have yet to face, than a woman who’s experienced so much before me?
When my husband changed careers and money was tight. my mom knew what I was going through and knew just what I needed to hear. When I almost lost my daughter to an illness, she knew to hold me tight. And those times I went to her with things only a woman could understand, she knew just to listen and not to judge.
I hope I can do that for my children. I hope I will always know what they need from me and be able to give it to them.
I worked on Mother’s Day this year but my children and husband took me out for dinner afterwards. As we enjoyed the sunshine on an outdoor patio and a delicious meal, I smiled and held back a tear as it struck me how truly blessed I was. Being a mother had felt right from the very beginning. And here I was twenty-three years later with a son and daughter who’d become better people than I could ever have imagined or hoped for.
As I watched my husband joke and laugh with them I realized he deserves much of the credit. Being a good mother is easier when you have a man who’s a wonderful father raising your children with you. Just like being a good mother is easier when you’ve had a good example to follow.
Despite telling my husband not to buy me anything for Mother’s Day, “I’m not your mother,” I warned him, I came home from dinner to a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
And the next morning as I dropped him off at work, he leaned over and gave me a kiss and said, “I love ya. Happy day after Mothers’ Day, have a good one.”
And I did. How could I not?
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Brianna - BEAUTIFUL! no other words will do. Tight hugFrom one mom to another ... tight hug right back. Thank you!
You make me "green" like the mango tree's leaves, Brianna. A perfect world you have in your family. Very blessed one !!Nothing is perfect, but like I said perfect is over-rated. It would be kind of dull don't you think? But I do feel very blessed when it comes to my family. Thanks Hilda!
Brianna, your story gripped my heart tight then made me smile all within seconds of each other. I love reading everything you write. You are very blessed, and have the wisdom to realize it. Thanks for sharing!Okay Lorrie, were you TRYING to make my day? Cause you did. :) Thank s so much. I'm glad you enjoy reading my stuff!
Well put. Great subject. But, Brianna, take a hit from an older mother - let hubby honor you no matter if you're not his mom. Then when it's time for dad's day, I'm sure your honor him back. Remember, the two of you conspired in the parent thing. Relax and enjoy it - every day of the year even.Thanks.That is very good advice. It's not hard to honour him back. He's a wonderful father. Thanks for reading and commenting. Nice to hear from you.love reading your articles.
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